DeWitt Middle School

This year, DMS students will be using Reading Counts! to help strengthen their individual reading levels and build a love for reading. They have taken an inventory test to get their individual Lexile level, and have begun to check out library books. Their literacy classes will be reading novels together, and each student will read library book on their own. Each 9 weeks, the literacy teachers will challenge each student to read and obtain a certain amount of points. They will take online comprehension tests after they finish their books. Please talk to your student about the books they are reading in class and on their own. If you are able, carve out time at home for them to read each day. Reach out to their literacy teacher if you have any questions. "A book is a gift you can open again and again." -Garrison Keillor

Thank you DeWitt Middle School Student Council for purchasing new backpacks to give to students in need. We appreciate all you do for our school family.

Dragon Fans: the Jr. Dragons will take on the Barton Bears in a benefit game this coming Thursday, August 19 at 6p. ALL *home* Dragon Sport Ticket sales will go through Go Fan during the 21/22 School year. Visit https://gofan.co/search or download the Go Fan app in your App Store and search DeWitt School District to purchase your tickets! Go Dragons! You can purchase tickets at this link: https://gofan.co/app/school/AR86474 Make sure you choose the side you want to sit on in the stands! Here is a link to a video if you'd like to see more about how Go Fan works. https://youtu.be/tkZqTY5d6Bg

Please see the image below for information about drop-offs and pick-up at all schools. DMS students who get dropped off via car in the morning need to arrive at 7:40 or AFTER. Please pull directly in front of DMS to drop your child off & AVOID dropping them off anywhere else. ALL Car riders will be dismissed at 3:10 this year. 6/7 grade car riders will be picked up in the front, and 8th graders in the lot/lane shared by DMS & DHS (Just like last year). 8th Graders will load at 3:10, but cars will wait to move until the 6/7 flow of traffic has cleared. If your child has an 8th grade sibling, they will need to go out to the 8th grade pick-up location. Bus students will dismiss at 3:15. If your child has a change in transportation, please send a note and have them come to the office to have it signed by the principal. In the event of a last minute change of transportation plans, please call the school & we will tell your child.

We shared this slideshow last night at 6th Grade Orientation. There is a lot of helpful information that applies to ALL students. Please review it if you have a moment, and hopefully it will answer any questions you might have regarding DMS procedures for the beginning of the year. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1jnjRjHXdWbZfBZ6_UdIJubzGMmjFGNKdmSH8h5lccNg/edit?usp=sharing Can't wait to see you MONDAY!

DMS Parents: If your student will take medication or will carry an epi pen or inhaler, please bring the medication to Nurse LeighAnn tomorrow night during Open House. It needs to be in the original prescribed medication bottle. Open House Reminders: 6th grade: 5:00 in DHS Cafeteria. Orientation & then DMS Tour 7th grade: 5-5:45 & 8th grade: 6:15-7. Please no more than 2 adults with each student, and all patrons need to wear their masks while indoors. Schedules can be picked up during these times. If your child ordered & paid for a yearbook, they will be available as well.

DMS Back to School Reminder: Students need to bring a CLEAR water bottle to school each day. We have water bottle filling stations where they can refill as needed. **Our school has ordered some cool dragon bottles, but they won't be here in time for school to start, so please bring your own each day until they arrive.**

DMS Parents & Students: Schedule Pick-Up Reminder: Tomorrow, 08-04-21, for 8th GRADE ONLY. 9:00-2:00. Thursday, 08-05-21, for ALL DMS STUDENTS. 9:00-2:00. Schedule pick-up only, no DMS tours. Students who can't pick up their schedule early can get their schedule during Open House on 08-12-21. If you need a schedule change, you will need to fill out a request form and return to Mrs. Barnett ASAP to guarantee the change before the first day of school.

DMS Students: Next week, you will be able to pick up your schedules early. The flyer shows the dates & times. If you need to request a schedule change, your parents will need to contact Mrs. Barnett at: cbarnett@dewittdragons.net or 870-946-3708.

Mrs. Barnett is taking donations for our DMS Dragon Closet. If you are cleaning out closets & would like to donate, please do. See below for items that we can use. Thank you!

A reminder from our DMS Nurse, Mrs. LeighAnn: Your student should have received a letter if they are in need of updating their immunizations. Please take this time to schedule your shots if needed, and bring your immunization record by the 1st day of school! 6th Graders: required to have TDap Vaccination, after turning 11 years old 7th Graders: required to have MCV4 Vaccination.

Open House Information for DMS:

Once again, our DeWitt School District Board of Directors voted to provide school supplies to ALL students in the district for the 2021-2022 School Year. Students will need to bring their own backpack, but other than that, all supplies ARE AT NO COST TO THE PARENTS!!! We will pass out all supplies to students on the first day of school. Thank you DeWitt School District Board of Directors for this awesome blessing!

DJH Cheerleaders attend camp this past weekend. They represented their squad and our school very well. Go Dragons!

DMS Students Remember: Today is checkout for ALL virtual students. Please come by 2:00, and bring all school property to checkout. ALL students who haven't returned Chromebooks, hotspots, cords, library books, etc. need to do so. We will mail your report cards when you are completely checked out. Call the office with any questions, 870-946-3708.

DMS: If your child takes medication at school, Mrs. LeighAnn needs all medicine picked up by FRIDAY morning. Thank you.

DMS Students & Families: Today begins our Semester Testing for the 2nd Semester. Remember, we will dismiss TODAY, WEDNESDAY, & THURSDAY at 1:15 p.m. Our testing schedule can be found at our school website: www.dewittdragons.net or on our Facebook page.

DMS Students: Exemption Notices & Checkout will begin today for In-Person Learners. Students should attend today & Monday so that we can get them all checked out. Make sure that you bring your Chromebooks, Chargers, Hotspots, & anything else belonging to the school to turn in.

Please see the attached photos for dates & times for our semester tests. We will let students know if they are exempt on this Friday, May 21. Students should bring all Chromebooks, chargers, library books & other materials that day. If they are exempt, they will have to turn all of these items in and be checked out to receive their exemption letter.

Girls going into 7th grade through 12th grade are invited to participate in the YES Program Summer Program. We've attached an overview letter, but if you and your child would like to sign up, have them see Mrs. Rachel and she will print the registration forms for you to complete and return to the address stated in the letter. Thank you!